Ajit Pawar gets clean chit for 'funds for votes' remark

Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has been given a clean chit for his “funds for votes” remarks that he made in Baramati. Ajit Pawar's wife, Sunetra, is contesting the Lok Sabha polls from the Baramati seat.

The Sharad Pawar-led NCP(SP) had filed a complaint against Ajit Pawar with the Election Commission alleging that his speech amounted to violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

While addressing a poll rally at Indapur in Baramati, Ajit Pawar, who also holds the finance portfolio in the state, said, “As far as funds are concerned, we will cooperate to give you as much as you want, but at the same time, the EVM button needs to be pressed in abundance. If the EVM button is pressed in abundance, I will also feel good allocating funds, or else, I will have to restrict myself.”

The Returning Officer of Baramati, Kavita Dwivedi, said there was nothing objectionable in Ajit Pawar's speech and there was no violation of the Model Code of Conduct as the Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister did not take the name of any candidate.

"According to our scrutiny, I have submitted a report to the Chief Election Officer Maharashtra and the District Election Officer for further processing", Dwivedi told India Today TV.

This comes days after Ajit Pawar's wife Sunetra Pawar was given a clean chit by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Maharashtra Police in an alleged Rs 25,000 crore MSCB bank scam case.